Overview

We encourage joint learning for civil society resilience by bringing international civil society organisations together to learn from one another in a safe space and collecting best practices in the Solidarity Playbook. Through Anticipating Futures for Civil Society Operating Space, we enhance the anticipatory capacities of civil society professionals, moving beyond reactive crisis firefighting toward proactive, informed action. This future-oriented approach is reinforced through the International Civic Forum (ICF), our annual gathering of global civic space leaders to exchange knowledge, forge connections, and collaborate on solutions to pressing civic space challenges.

Civic space is a sensitive topic and there are not many spaces where the conversation around it is deliberate, intentional and purposeful.

Member of the SANE Working Group

We promote rights-driven change by empowering civil society to advance progressive causes with effective strategies and compelling narratives. We provide collaborative spaces and practical tools to help (I)CSOs strengthen their responses and build alliances that challenge anti-rights actors and drive positive change. In parallel, we support (I)CSOs in navigating digital threats and opportunities by fostering peer exchange and developing resources to address the evolving risks and opportunities in the digital sphere.

Anticipating Futures for Civil Society Operating Space

We strengthen the anticipatory capacities and future readiness of civil society professionals working to defend and expand civic and civil society operating space.

The initiative raises awareness of futures thinking, moving beyond reactive crisis management. It offers a collaborative space to develop future scenarios and equips civil society with tools to translate these into concrete strategies and practices, as well as to critically assess and adapt them in light of possible future scenarios.

Learn more here

Convening Civic Space Leaders

We convene global civil society leaders each year at the International Civic Forum (ICF) to discuss key civic space issues, forge connections, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

Over the years, the Forum has addressed pressing civic space challenges, from countering mis- and disinformation and addressing anti-rights actors to strengthening anticipatory capacities and navigating the impacts of emerging digital trends.

Learn more about the ICF here:

International Civic Forum 2025

Promoting Rights-Driven Change

We aim to empower civil society to advance progressive causes through effective strategies and compelling narratives.

We provide collaborative spaces and practical tools to help (I)CSOs strengthen their tactics and forge alliances to address anti-rights actors and drive positive change.

Navigating Digital Threats and Opportunities for Civic Space

We help (I)CSOs navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape by tackling threats and seizing opportunities that shape civic space.

Through trend mapping and practical guidance, we strengthen awareness, build capacity, and provide tools to enhance cybersecurity and resilience in an increasingly digital world.

Collective Learning for Civil Society Resilience

Through collective learning, we help (I)CSOs support one another and act in solidarity with local partners under pressure.

We strengthen civil society’s ability to withstand threats by sharing best practices through the Solidarity Playbook, fostering peer exchange, and providing safe spaces for collaboration.

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Team Members

Eva Gondor

Senior Programme Manager

Since February 2020, Eva has led the Centre’s work on civic space, in particular the Solidarity Action Network (SANE), which strengthens resilience and fosters solidarity among civil society actors facing civic space restrictions. She also oversees the Anticipating Futures for Civil Society Operating Space initiative, which enhances the anticipatory capacities and future readiness of civil society professionals. Eva has more than 10 years of experience across academia, philanthropy, and civil society. Prior to joining the Centre, she worked at the Robert Bosch Stiftung (Foundation), managing projects to strengthen civil society and governance in Turkey, the Western Balkans, and North Africa. She holds a degree from the German-Turkish Masters Program in Social Sciences (GeT MA), jointly run by the Middle East Technical University in Ankara and Humboldt University in Berlin.
Alexandra Schlegel

Programme Officer

Alexandra joined the Centre in January 2022. She works as Programme Officer in the Solidarity Action Network and Scanning the Horizon projects of the Centre. Her role addresses anti-rights actors, oversees futures and foresight initiatives within the Scanning community. She also manages the SANE Resource Hub and organises events. Alex is strongly engaged in voluntary work with different international as well as local organisations. She has a background in Political Science and International Relations and holds an MA in International Relations from Leiden University. She has lived in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, as well as Jordan and is currently living in Berlin.